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EP-4735803-A1 - HEAT EXCHANGER FOR AN AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE FOR A RAIL-BOUND VEHICLE, AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE, AND RAIL-BOUND VEHICLE

EP4735803A1EP 4735803 A1EP4735803 A1EP 4735803A1EP-4735803-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat exchanger (100), in particular for an air-conditioning device (10) for a rail-bound vehicle (1), comprising at least one refrigerant pipe (110) and a heat-exchange structure (120) through which air can flow. The heat exchanger (100) has at least one optical detection device (130) designed to detect a soiling state of the heat exchanger (100).

Inventors

  • KASAP, Irfan
  • SCHMITZ, MARKUS

Assignees

  • Siemens Mobility GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240711

Claims (20)

  1. 1. Heat exchanger (100), in particular for an air conditioning unit (10) for a track-guided vehicle (1), comprising at least one coolant pipe (110) and a heat transfer structure (120) through which air can flow, characterized in that the heat exchanger (100) comprises at least one optical detection device (130) which is designed to detect a contamination state of the heat exchanger (100).
  2. 2. Heat exchanger (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical detection device (130) is directed at at least a partial region of the heat transfer structure (120) for detecting the contamination state of the heat transfer structure (120).
  3. 3. Heat exchanger (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (100) is a condenser.
  4. 4. Heat exchanger (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat transfer structure (120) comprises a plurality of fins.
  5. 5. Air conditioning unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning unit (10) comprises at least one heat exchanger (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4.
  6. 6. Air conditioning device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the air conditioning unit (10) comprises an evaluation device (200) which is operatively connected to the at least one optical detection device (130) of the heat exchanger (100), and wherein the evaluation device (200) is designed to determine a contamination state of the Heat exchanger (100), in particular for determining the contamination state of the heat transfer structure (120).
  7. 7. Air conditioning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation device (200) is designed to determine a thickness of a deposit layer as a contamination state of the heat exchanger (100), in particular of the heat transfer structure (120).
  8. 8. Air conditioning device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the optical detection device (130) is designed to continuously detect the contamination state and/or the evaluation device (200) is designed to continuously determine the contamination state.
  9. 9. Air conditioning device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the evaluation device (200) is designed to document the contamination state.
  10. 10. Air conditioning device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the evaluation device (200) is designed to compare the contamination state with a limit value and to output a signal (S) when the limit value is exceeded.
  11. 11. A track-guided vehicle (1) for passenger transport, comprising at least one heat exchanger (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4 or at least one air conditioning unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10.
  12. 12. Track-guided vehicle (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the track-guided vehicle (1) has a central control device (20) which is operatively connected to the at least one evaluation device (200).
  13. 13. Track-guided vehicle (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the central control device (20) is configured to receive the signal (S) output by the evaluation device (200) and to generate a maintenance message (WM).
  14. 14. Track-guided vehicle (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the track-guided vehicle (1) has a display device (300) which is configured to output the maintenance message (WM).
  15. 15. Method for operating a heat exchanger (100), in particular for an air conditioning unit (10) for a track-guided vehicle (1), comprising at least one coolant pipe (110) and a heat transfer structure (120) through which air can flow, characterized in that the heat exchanger (100) has at least one optical detection device (130) which detects a contamination state of the heat exchanger (100).
  16. 16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the optical detection device (130) is directed at at least a partial area of the heat transfer structure (120) and detects the contamination state of the heat transfer structure (120).
  17. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the air conditioning device (10) has an evaluation device (200) which is operatively connected to the at least one optical detection device (130) of the heat exchanger (100), and wherein the evaluation device (200) determines a contamination state of the heat exchanger (100), in particular a contamination state of the heat transfer structure (120).
  18. 18. Method according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the evaluation device (200) determines a thickness of a deposit layer as a contamination state of the heat exchanger (100), in particular of the heat transfer structure (120).
  19. 19. Method according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the optical detection device (130) continuously detects the contamination state and/or the evaluation device (200) continuously determines the contamination state.
  20. 20. Method according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the evaluation device (200) documents the contamination state.

Description

Description Heat exchanger for an air conditioning unit for a rail-guided vehicle, air conditioning unit and rail-guided vehicle. The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for an air conditioning unit for a rail-guided vehicle, comprising at least one coolant pipe and a heat transfer structure through which air can flow. The invention further relates to an air conditioning unit for a rail-guided vehicle for passenger transport, comprising such a heat exchanger or a heat exchanger further developed as described below. Furthermore, the invention relates to a track-guided vehicle for passenger transport, comprising at least one heat exchanger of this type or further developed as described below and/or at least one air conditioning unit of this type or further developed as described below. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product to be used in a computer of an air conditioning unit for a rail-guided vehicle or in a computer of a rail-guided vehicle with such an air conditioning unit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program product is recorded. Furthermore, the invention relates to a digital twin of such a heat exchanger or a heat exchanger further developed as described below, of such an air conditioning unit or a heat exchanger further developed as described below, or ... or a track-guided vehicle further developed as described below. Heat exchangers in air conditioning units on tracked vehicles, such as rail vehicles, have a high air throughput in their inner areas (e.g. air handling unit) and outer areas (e.g. cooling system). The air contains dust and dirt particles which accumulate in the heat exchanger over time, dirtying it and slowly clogging it. Condensation occurs in the area of the inner heat exchanger during the cooling process. This condensation also binds the dirt and stubborn encrustations/soiling occur. Even the upstream filter cannot completely stop this contamination process, only slow it down. In the area of the outer heat exchanger, the air throughput is about 10 times higher and there are often no filters upstream in the air flow. The heat exchangers in the outer area are also exposed to dirt and rain. Such contamination effectively reduces the air volume flow through the heat exchanger. Along with a reduction in the air volume flow, the heat transfer is reduced. In addition, the dirt creates additional thermal resistance, which negatively affects the heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchanger depending on the layer thickness and thermal conductivity. The heat exchangers lose efficiency and therefore performance, and the entire cooling or heating process loses efficiency. Up to now, maintenance and cleaning intervals for heat exchangers have been determined based on experience. During maintenance, a visual inspection can be carried out at most. Detection of the degree of contamination varies individually depending on the inspection personnel. Cleaning is often carried out too late, as a visual inspection of smaller contaminations on the surface of the heat exchanger is not detected. After the cleaning interval has been reached, the heat exchangers are then cleaned of dirt using high-pressure water jets/steam. Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger which has improved maintainability. This object is solved by the heat exchanger of claim 1. Furthermore, the object is solved by the air conditioning unit according to claim 5 and the track-guided vehicle according to claim 11. Furthermore, the object is solved by the method according to claim 15, the computer program product according to claim 24, the computer-readable recording medium and the digital twin according to claim 26. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the respective subclaims. According to the invention, a heat exchanger is provided, in particular for an air conditioning unit for a track-guided vehicle. The heat exchanger comprises at least one coolant pipe and a heat transfer structure through which air can flow. The heat exchanger further comprises at least one optical detection device which is designed to detect a contamination state of the heat exchanger. According to the invention, an air conditioning device is further provided which has at least one such heat exchanger or one further developed as described below. Furthermore, according to the invention, a track-guided vehicle of the Passenger transport comprising at least one such a heat exchanger or a heat exchanger further developed as described below or at least such an air conditioning unit or a heat exchanger further developed as described below. Furthermore, according to the invention, a method is provided for operating a heat exchanger, in particular for an air conditioning unit for a track-guided vehicle. The air conditioning unit comprises at least one coolant pipe and a heat transfer structure